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I was born eight and a half decades ago, in Illinois. When I was eight my family moved to California. My Dad opened a
dry cleaning business in Compton, and I grew up and went to school there. For many years my mother worked in Civil Service
for the US Air Force, as did my sister Dorothy. Dorothy is two years older than I and lives in California. I go to see her
about once a month. My Dad (Everett) passed away in August of 1967, two months after Jeanette and I married. My
Dad gave me his name as my middle name, and a good understanding of how life should be lived. Honest, hardworking and consistent.
My Mother (Marguerite) lived to be 100 and 1 month old, to the day. She passed away in November of 1998. Her identical
twin sister (Marjorie) preceded her in death by 11 years. Mother always said that it was all the Shaklee vitamins she took.
I think it was the fact that my aunt Marj smoked and she didn't. But aunt Marj was 89 when she died. That's a real long life,
too. Who really knows?
When WWII started I was in college, still living in Compton. I soon finished my college education, and joined the Navy.
I had always wanted to be a pilot and love to fly. This was my big opportunity. I took my Navy flight training in Wyoming,
and later more training in Florida. During the war I flew a Curtis Hell Diver, but my career in the Navy ended when some Japanese
amo that we were moving exploded, and sent me to the hospital for a long time. I was still able to fly, but not for the Navy.
I didn't want to fly a desk, so I got out of the Navy (the war was over by this time), and went home to work.
For 17 years I worked for Hazelton Hardware Company in Compton and was the purchasing agent when I left. Deciding
that I had gone up the ladder as high as I could go with that company, I needed a career change. I was interested in two things,
and this prompted me to get my flying instructors rating, and a Real Estate Brokers license, but not at the same time.
Flying has always been exciting and fun for me. I found out that it was difficult to make a living with, but until just
a few years ago I kept my Instructor licence current, and gave flying lessions. I even taught Jeanette how to fly. Her first
solo flight was a hair-raising event, but that's another story. I have owned three private aircraft, two Balancas and a Centurian
210, and until about 10 years ago, belonged to three flying clubs at different times. The Compton Derby Club was the
first. We flew to a lot of different places, on weekends, just for the fun of it. It was on such a trip that Jeanette and
I married in Carson City, Nevada, June of 1967.
In 1964 I became interested in Real Estate developement and built a couple of Apartment buildings. This started me on
my way to my Real Estate, Project Developement and Management Career. I got my Real Estate license in 1965 and by 1967 I got
my Brokers license. Through the years I have built and traded many properties, ending up with the 52 unit Apartment Complex
we now own in Las Vegas. I have retired many times, but find it impossible to stay that way. Just have to be doing something
constructive. I currently manage the Snapp Apartments, with the help of my assistant manager, and maintenace help on occassion.
Yes, I finally gave up trying to do it all by my self.
I have two daughters from a previous marriage of 18 years. Mary and Barbara. Mary has two sons, Tim and Jeff. Barbara
(Bobi) has two sons, Mike and Dan. Mike is my eldest grandson, but Tim is the only married grandchild that I have, and he
and his lovely wife Amy have given me my first great grandchild. Shane. He was four years old on September 11th. Yes,
you guessed it. He was born just before the two airliners hit the New York Trade Center. His grandmother and grandpa were
just returning from their trip to France, and had problems getting home because of the Terrist Attack on the US. Shane now
has a little brother. His name is Tyler.
Jeanette's children were all pretty young when we married after two and a half years of dating. Rodney was only 8 and
Brandi half way between 6 and 7. Susan the youngest was three and a half. I was the only Dad that they really remember. Rodney
passed away September 22, 2002. Brandi is a Court Courier/Recording Clerk, and Susan has been working for the Boyd Group for
19 years, as a 21 dealer, first at the Fremont for 7 years, and is now at the Stardust. Their children are my grandchildren,
too. All seven of them. 5 boys and 2 girls. They all live close to us now, except Jessica, Brandi's daughter. She moved
to Reno to continue her education at the University there. We see the grandchildren often and are helping most of them get
their college educations in some way or another, except for Shaun and he is living with us now. He is attending High
School in our area, and seems to like it. He is 17 now and ready to learn how to drive. That could be scary. Grin ~~
I know that Jeanette will share with you what is going on in her children and grandchildren's lives, so I will just pick
up a video camera, or camera now and then and take pictures as we continue on our life's pathways.
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Taking a break from work.
Reno Air Races - My friend Roger and I. You just gotta get away from it all times.
Grin~~
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What a job!
(A job with frustrations? Hard to believe, huh?) I manage our 52 unit apartment
complex. The residents here are special people, most of them friendly and easy to get along with. The most frustrating things
about my job are emergency situations that arise, like broken water pipes, etc, and problems caused by outsiders.
Most people are honest, law abiding citizens, but the few that aren't drive me nuts. I can't tolerate people that break the
rules, lazyness, whiners, liars, or thieves. Does that make me the Bad Guy? Time to take a break and go flying. Grin~~~
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| Born in Joliet, IL - Died in Las Vegas, NV |
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| February 18, 1924 - August 7, 2009 |
Favorites
I love swimming, tennis, golf and enjoy watching most sports. My favorite thing is flying, although I don't do much of
it anymore. On my 82nd. birthday (just past) I went out and flew a 1943 SNJ-4, doing a few loops,
figure 8's and chandels. It was fun, but I was just a little rusty.
When I was much younger, I rode and raced motorcycles. I still enjoy a good motorcycle race either in person (noisey)
or on TV.
I like watching a good movie, the History and Discovery Channels on TV, especially the ones about flying.
I like most music. The keyword here is Music. I do not care for all the noise the young people of today call music. When
I was in High School and up until my Navel accident, I was pretty good with the trumphet. I even marched with our High School
band in the Rose Parade just before WWII began.
I like to see new places and do new things. I'm not much for driving, but you can put me in any kind of plane anytime.
International Travel is what I would like to do most right now, but it's probably not the safest thing to do, so we will wait
and see some more of the good old US.
| My sister and I |
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| Recent trip to Sunny California |
| My eldest daughter Marys' family |
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| The Curren's |
The picture above was taken in their home in December of 2002. From upper left, Tim, his wife Amy, and brother
Jeff (Mary's youngest son). Lower left to right, Mary holding grandson (my great) Shane and husband Bill.
Below is another picture taken at the Reno Air Races. My friend Roger, second cousin Jeff and I had a great time. I try
to make the Reno Air Races every year when possible. It's about that time again. Grin~~
| Reno Air Races - September 2003 |
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| Jeff, Bob and Roger |
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